Ukip deputy chairman told Pienaar’s Politics: “This is a council candidate whom you would have never have heard but for all the social media archaeologists that are employed by Labour, the Liberal party and the Tories to try and track down any unknown Ukip member or activist who may have said something unpleasant on social media.

“Every party has got them. We have strict rules on racism. We don't allow it.

“We're the only party that doesn't allow ex-BNP or National Front members to be candidates and we have strict rules on social media. I know because I helped to devise them. This man's case will be investigated.”

This comes after a week of scandals for the UK Independence Party.

A candidate for Merton Council – who appeared in their European election broadcast – was suspended for expressing “extreme racist views”.

They’re controversial advertising campaign launched last week was condemned as “racist” by some.

A woman who appeared in a poster explaining why she would vote Ukip turned put to actually be Farage’s aide Lizzy Vaid.

It was also claimed that a man portrayed in the adverts as a British builder who could not find work was actually an Irish immigrant actor.